SAWYER, Mich. -- A lesson in war that spanned the globe was brought straight to a Michigan elementary school gymnasium.

Second graders at Chickaming Elementary welcomed Captain Mandy Coy into their schools. She is no stranger to the students, however, because she is their overseas pen pal.

Coy's nephew is a second grader at the school and his class wrote letters and even used Skype to chat with her from Afghanistan since last May.

The goal is to help kids understand what is happening thousands of miles away.

"They are probably too young to understand the major concept but they can learn about the culture and they can see the differences in their culture versus our culture," said Captain Mandy Coy.

Coy graduated from Gillean High School. She said the students' letters and cards helped her remember what was waiting for her back home in Michigan.